Anambra poll: IPOB makes U-turn, backs Saturday’s poll
…as Candidates sign peace accord
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) made a U-turn yesterday about the Anambra poll after it had ordered its members and Southeasterners to wait out the election.
It was a story that many had been waiting for when the group announced the cancellation of a proposed sit-at-home order slated to begin on Friday November 5, 2021.
According to the group, the sit-at-home initiative was put off to allow citizens exercise their franchise on Saturday in Anambra on Saturday.
The statement of the group partly read, “Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions/Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the Leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.
“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.
“IPOB leadership is only interested in our referendum and peaceful agitation for self determination, and cannot by under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.
“The people of Anambra State should go out enmasse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 20121 and accordingly, chose a leader of their choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.
“Credible intelligence available to us confirmed that the Nigeria DSS has concluded arrangement to deploy a branch of their trained terrorist group to Anambra state come 6th Day 2021, to unleash mayhem on our people and attribute the killing to peaceful IPOB members.
“Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated on the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.
“We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.
“May we therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision. IPOB doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.
“On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of our leader.
“We therefore urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.
“IPOB will not relent in our pursuit for Biafra freedom. Nigeria government must give us date for Biafra referendum to decide where we want to belong.”
Candidates sign peace accord
Meanwhile, the governorship candidates in Saturday’s election have signed a peace accord in Awka, Anambra state capital
The signing ceremony which took place at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka was facilitated by the National Peace Committee, Abuja, headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Senator Andy Uba of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and Dr. Godwin Maduka of the Accord Party and among others were present.
In his address, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said that without peace, the commission’s deployment plans, new innovations in result management, safety of personnel, security of materials and above all, credibility of elections will be undermined.
According to him, the Commission is committed to conducting a transperant and credible election.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba Alkali, represented by DIG in charge of Operation, Mr. Zaki Ahmed, said that peace must be maintained before, during and after the Anambra election.
The Chairman of the Peace Committee, and former Head of State General Abdulsami Abubakar (rtd), in his address said that the signing of Peace Accord by the governorship candidates was “a way of reaffirming that they must conduct themselves in a professional and peaceful manner ahead of the Governorship election.”
He said, “With what I have seen here, in Anambra state, I believe, Anambra will witness a free, fair and credible election,” he said.
Abdulsalami appealed to concerned stakeholders to corporate with the INEC and security agencies for a free exercise.
Also at the signing ceremony, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Hasan Kuka said that there is no threat to the Anambra governorship election and urged voters to go and vote.
Kukah told journalists in an interview that anyone who does not participate in the November 6 election cannot attribute it to poor security arrangement.
In his words, “From what we have on ground by the security operatives and the Independent National Electoral Commission I do not see any threat to the election and anyone who refeuses to come out and vote does not want to vote, because there is no security threat at all and the Inspector General of Police has assured us that they are prepared for the election.
“I encourage any electorate with the INEC voters card in the state to feel free and come out for the election,” Bishop Kuka said.
